St. Louis priest arrested in connection with sex case

ST. LOUIS — The FBI has arrested a Roman Catholic priest from St. Louis, accusing him of offering money to have sex with a teenage girl.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Reap said Thursday that 57-year-old James Patrick Grady answered an Internet ad placed by undercover police officers, indicating young girls were available. Grady was arrested Wednesday after showing up at a St. Louis County home, believing he would meet a 16-year-old girl for sex, police said.

Two other men also face federal charges as a result of the sting operation.

Grady is pastor of St. Raphael The Archangel in St. Louis city. A woman answering phones at the church said Grady was unavailable. Calls to the Archdiocese of St. Louis were not returned.